DÁIL QUESTIONS 2014

Dec 16, 2014Deputy John Deasy asked the Minister for Justice and Equality the cost in each year to date in 2014 of providing a Garda cold case unit; the successful cases that have been resolved by the unit to date; and if she will make a statement on the matter.

REPLY (Minister Frances Fitzgerald):I am informed by the Garda authorities that the function of the Serious Crime Review Team (SCRT) is to assist Senior Investigating Officers assigned to the case in question in bringing investigations to a successful conclusion by identifying further investigative opportunities and ensuring that investigations conform to approved best practice guidelines.

At the conclusion of each review a substantive report is provided to the Senior Investigating Officer who considers the opportunities for further investigation for dissemination back into the investigative and operational units. Recommendations with organisational relevance are disseminated within An Garda Síochána to improve overall investigative capability.

I am advised that the SCRT continues to review serious unsolved cases, including homicide and missing persons cases, and continues to identify evidence and witnesses to assist in the investigation of these cases.

Currently a number of cases, which have been reviewed, have been returned for further attention by the Senior Investigating Officer and the local investigation team. A number of other cases are under preliminary consideration to evaluate the viability of a full review by the SCRT.

The Garda authorities have provided the attached information detailing the annual costs directly attributable to the Unit since 2007